Central Ave Dance Ensemble
Primary tabs
The Central Avenue Dance Ensemble
The Central Avenue Dance Ensemble is a multi-aged performance group led by Chester Whitmore. Our mission is to perpetuate and promote American Vernacular dances of the 20th Century. These dances include: American street dances such as Leonard Reed’s Shim Sham Shimmy, the Shorty George, the Charleston (1920s) and the Lindy Hop (1920s - 40s). These are in addition to dances derived from them like the Chicago Bop (1960s) which begat Steppin’ (1990s). We aim to show the connections between dance forms from generation to generation and their connection to music and cabaret; to show how American vernacular dances were influenced by African dance and were shaped by spirituality and slavery (liturgical dance) as well as were molded by rhythm and music (tap dance and Salsa). We aim to express the infectious healing qualities of dance, to educate audiences and to spread the joy of dance.
Recent Content:
Type
Title
Post date
Updated/commented date
Image
RonAndXia 18
Saturday, October 9, 2010 - 8:05pm
Saturday, October 9, 2010 - 8:05pm
Image
ShimSham 39
Monday, October 18, 2010 - 3:41pm
Monday, October 18, 2010 - 3:41pm
Image
DSC_4347
Monday, December 6, 2010 - 2:39pm
Monday, December 6, 2010 - 2:39pm
Image
SwingArizonaTrip 00090
Friday, December 28, 2007 - 10:16pm
Friday, December 28, 2007 - 10:16pm
Image
CentralAveSign
Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 9:56pm
Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 9:56pm
Image
Video thumbnail for The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 - 10:04pm
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 - 10:04pm
Image
ChesterTaps 2
Monday, October 18, 2010 - 3:02pm
Monday, October 18, 2010 - 3:02pm
Image
DSC_4281
Monday, December 6, 2010 - 2:38pm
Thursday, March 10, 2016 - 6:24pm
Image
SwingArizonaTrip 00150
Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 10:00pm
Thursday, December 27, 2007 - 10:00pm
Image
RonAndXia 113
Monday, October 18, 2010 - 12:16pm
Thursday, March 17, 2016 - 7:30pm
Pages